Such devices are known as “femtocells.” Verizon Wireless, the countrys largest carrier, is following in the footsteps of Sprint Nextel Corp., which started selling a femtocell under the Airave brand nationwide last year.

The Airave costs $100, but Sprint charges an extra $5 per month for use. Verizon Wireless is not charging a monthly fee.

AT&T Inc. is testing femtocells in employees homes, and plans to conduct customer trials in at least one market in the second quarter, spokesman Mark Siegel said.

The Verizon Wireless and Sprint femtocells are made by Samsung Electronics Co. and relay voice and low-speed data connections. The AT&T unit will also relay fast “3G” data connections.

T-Mobile USA has chosen a different technological route to expand indoor coverage. It sells Wi-Fi routers and phones that can place calls over Wi-Fi in addition to regular wireless calls.

Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications Inc. of New York and Vodafone Group PLC of Britain.

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On the Net:

Verizons Network Extender: http://tinyurl.com/bjs3ed

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